Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell has been found guilty of failing to discharge his duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act at the Hillsborough trial being held at Preston Crown Court.
The jury of six men and six women came back with their decision after deliberating for eight days.
Mackrell was found guilty by a majority of 10-2 and looked shocked as the verdict was returned.
His sentencing date has been set for 13 May.
But the same jury failed to reach a verdict on charges against Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, who was accused of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 football disaster.
It was alleged Mackrell, 69, failed to take care as safety officer particularly in respect of ensuring turnstiles could admit fans at a rate where there were no large crowds waiting for admission.
Mackrell was the Sheffield Wednesday club secretary at the time of the 1989 semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. As part of that role he was safety officer for the club.
Mackrell denied failing to discharge his duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The trial was told there were seven turnstiles for the 10,100 Liverpool fans with standing tickets for the match.
Ninety-six men, women and children died in the fatal crush on the Leppings Lane terrace at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.